A Study on the Improvement of National Intangible Cultural Heritage (NICH) Names in Korea

The name of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage (NICH) is the first encounter of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) with the public. The names of the ICH differ in their perception depending on whether they are easily understood by everyone or how systematically organized they are. However, as no principles and criteria for naming the NICH exist, its names are a complex composition of Chinese characters, regional names, space, overlapping words, technical skills, and artistic skills.Currently, guidelines for the names of Tangible Cultural Heritage (national treasures, treasures, natural monuments, folk cultural properties, etc.) have been enacted by the Cultural Heritage Administration. Nevertheless, the name of the NICH was not mentioned even after the “Act on The Safeguarding and Promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage” was enacted in 2015.To establish the principles and standards for naming the NICH, its names were analyzed, and problems were drawn accordingly. Such principles and standards for improvement were then established, and new names were given to each event.The fundamental requirements for the naming of the NICH are as follows: (1) the name of the NICH construct, so that people at home and abroad can easily understand it; (2) the name of the NICH construct, so that the technical and artistic skills of each event are well represented; (3) the name of the NICH is in Korean, and all words are linked together and written down.; (4) the names of the NICH are listed in order by region, time and space, tools and so on; (5) the name of the NICH is given an independent name.We hope that this research will generate interest in the name of the NICH and that the name of the NICH will be established under the guidelines of the Cultural Heritage Administration. Lastly, we hope that through its new name it will be easily understood and widely acknowledged by all people.